Stratified tidal flow over a tall ridge above and below the turning latitude

Abstract

The interaction of the barotropic tide with a tall, two-dimensional ridge is examined analytically and numerically at latitudes where the tide is subinertial, and contrasted to when the tide is superinertial. When the tide is subinertial, the energy density associated with the response grows with latitude as both the oscillatory along-ridge flow and near-ridge isopycnal displacement become large. Where $f\neq 0$, nonlinear processes lead to the formation of along-ridge jets, which become faster at high latitudes. Dissipation and mixing is larger, and peaks later in the tidal cycle when the tide is subinertial compared with when the tide is superinertial. Mixing occurs mainly on the flanks of the topography in both cases, though a superinertial tide may additionally generate mixing above topography arising from convective breaking of radiating waves.